5 Tips to Finding the Best Lot to Build a Home

5 Tips to Finding the Best Lot to Build a Home

5 Tips to Finding the Best Lot to Build a Home2014-11-242017-07-10https://excelbuilders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/logo.pngExcel Buildershttps://excelbuilders.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/build-a-home.jpg200px200px

The lot is where it all begins when it comes to building a house. Subsequently, it could decide how much capital you actually have to build the physical property. It’s not always easy to find a lot that suits your needs and fits your price range, but there are some great methods to achieving this. Read on to find out more.

Check out the so-called “undesirables”

The perfect lots are always going to cost more than you’d like, which is why you may want to consider going for the less desirable ones.

It may sound counter-intuitive, but its not. Lots that may be considered too narrow or uneven won’t sell so easily, so you’re likely to get a nice price for them. Plus, with the right contractor, a so-called “problem lot” won’t be much of problem, at all. Look into hillside lots, fill-in locations or oddly-shaped locations. Clever contracting can bypass these obstacles and fit you with a great, over-looked location.

Consider all the “water-side” lots

The same goes for water-side properties. Everyone wants a house on the beach, but these kinds of lots can cost of fortune, and you always run the risk of being at the mercy of weather damage.

Try investing property near a lake or canal. These are locations that are more affordable and safer investments. At the same time, you still have the convenience of building a home on the water.

Go for the combo deal

Getting the right lot property can be difficult, especially when the owner offers a huge chunk of land at a high price. You may only need a section of that land. Unfortunately, many property owners aren’t keen on dividing up what they have to offer, as this knocks down the value of what they have left.

A way to get around this is to find someone to co-pay with you on a larger piece of land. This way, you can ascertain this desired lot and then divide it with your co-payer. It’s a great way to get a fantastic section of land and especially useful if you have a willing family member or close friend to join you in the investment.

Be aware of site preparation

When looking at potential lots, be aware of natural obstacles and challenges to the construction. This could be anything from trees and boulders to ditches and mounds. Think about hauling in dirt and doing extra grading. Always consider if a lot will take too much site preparation. The more prep that needs to be done, the more costs you’ll incur before you even get to the building phases.

If you find a lot you like, which needs a reasonable amount of site preparation, carefully consider a plan of action to get everything ready in time for building. If not planned ahead, site preparation can slow down and drag out a construction project, causing huge increases in costs. You don’t want to run into these avoidable consequences. Plan ahead as much as possible.

Check out the neighborhood

If you want your future house to fetch a high resale value, be aware of where that house will be situated. Look at the houses around it. A big Mcmansion surrounded by much smaller properties won’t get a fair resale price. Context is very important.

Neighborhood qualities should always be considered. What’s the community like? What are the income levels and crime rates?

Houses, no matter how lavish and amenity-filled, simply won’t be as attractive as similar properties located in safer communities. So, don’t get so hung up on the lot, itself. What’s around the lot can be even more important.

A lot could be considered the most essential step to the homebuilding process. After all, it’s where it all begins. Because of this, don’t rush into buying a lot; look at all the options, and then some.

A good philosophy is to organize your priorities. Think about what you absolutely require in a property and what aspects may be open to variation and flexibility. Different lots will likely have their own pros and cons, so be willing to practice some pragmatism and creativity. The more thorough you are in your search and the more thoughtful you are in your approach, the more successful your homebuilding venture will be from the very outset.

Matt Doyle is the Vice-President and Co-Founder of Excel Builders, a custom home building company in Delaware and Maryland that specializes in ICF and energy efficient homes. Matt grew up in the construction industry, with his father building custom homes alongside the beaches of Maryland and Delaware.

Features

Calculated & Guaranteed Heating & Cooling Bills

Each home is sent off to ex-NASA engineers to analyze and determine what the guaranteed monthly heating and cooling cost will be, based on all building factors and techniques of Excel Builders and the particular home.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

At Excel Builders, we stand behind all of our work. Additionally, all of our homes come standard with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, the best home warranty in the industry:

1 year workmanship warranty

2 year mechanical systems warranty

10 year structural warranty

Geothermal Heating & Cooling System

The standard heat pump of our choice is the most efficient type of heat pump that is on the market. Geothermal uses the earth’s energy to reduce your heating and cooling bill every single day.

Fresh Air System

Clean air is extremely important for a healthy and comfortable indoor living environment. The high performance fresh air system continuously replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air

Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener & Water Purification System

Live healthier without all of the chemicals and additives in your water with a whole house water filter and softener. The water coming from your tap will be better than bottled water and you’ll notice softer skin, hair, and many other benefits. This system ensures that the water in your home is the best water you can provide to your family.

Rinnai Tankless Instant Hot Water Heater

Never worry about running out of hot water with a Rinnai tankless water heater. This water heater saves energy by only heating water when needed, compared to traditional tank-style water heaters which heats and reheats water all day long.

Fully Conditioned Crawlspace

We fully encapsulate the crawl space, seal up everything, and provide ventilation and dehumidification systems. This ensures maximum efficiency, while providing a very clean crawl space.

Low-E Argon Gas Windows With Unmatched Efficiency

Dual glazed, low-E with argon R-5 windows throughout the house allow for window energy efficiency that is off the charts for standard windows. Our standard windows have a U-Factor of 0.22, which stand well above average windows in the industry.

Flooring

Carpet and flooring can fill the air with hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including known and suspected carcinogens like formaldehyde and benzene.

Porcelain tile in kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room

Hardwood in all remaining areas

Granite Kitchen & Bathroom Countertops

Safe n’ Sound Emerald Solid Core Interior Doors

Tile shower in master bath

AND MUCH MORE!!

Contact Us—We’d Love to Hear from You

We’re always happy to hear from past and prospective clients. Contact us today to discuss your next big building project. We’d love to speak with you about our renovations, custom-home building and other services in Maryland and Delaware.

When it comes to Excel Builders, you won’t have to worry about high pressure sales behavior. We’re interested in answering your questions and helping you explore your options, though we’re always ready to help when you’re ready to start building or planning.